Leading Student Respect member Fiona Edwards is standing for the position of Vice President Welfare and Block of 15 in the forthcoming elections at NUS National Conference in April.

Student Respect has joined Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy (NUS Black Students’ Officer), David ‘Daf’ Adley (NUS LGBT Officer) and a range of other progressive activists as part of a united slate to give students the NUS leadership they need.

Fiona has the full support of Respect Party Leader, Salma Yaqoob, who says: “Fiona will ensure that NUS puts progressive causes at the heart of its agenda. From fighting the fascist BNP to demanding free education and opposing cuts, Fiona is a candidate with a proven track record.”

Respect Party MP George Galloway has added: “A vote for Fiona is a vote for an NUS that stands in solidarity with the occupied people of Palestine – unlike the current leadership of the NUS which even refused to condemn Israel’s massacre on Gaza last year. Her record of joining me in breaking the siege on Gaza and as an anti-war activist speaks for itself.”

The united slate, ‘For a Strong, Campaigning and Democratic NUS’, is standing for an NUS that leads an uncompromising campaign against any cuts to education; which opposes all tuition fees and student debt; and calls on the government to increase investment to fund free education.

As racism continues to soars across society, NUS must prioritise campaigns against all discrimination and bigotry and lead the fight for equality. We stand for a vigorous defence of diversity and multi-culturalism – reaffirming NUS’ commitment to no platform for the fascist BNP and campaigning against the English Defence League’s violent and intimidating campaign against the Muslim community.

Whilst our government claims free education is unaffordable and introduces savage cuts to public services, it continues to waste billions of pounds on the war on Afghanistan and the replacement of nuclear weapons. We will continue to campaign for international peace and global justice and make sure NUS does too – troops out of Afghanistan – free Palestine – end dangerous climate change.

We also stand for a strong and democratic union which engages students at every level. We would reverse the decision to slash delegation entitlements which has made this year’s National Conference more unrepresentative than ever.

For a Strong, Campaigning and Democratic Union we urge delegates to vote Bell for President, Daf for Union Development, Mark for Higher Education, Assed for Society and Citizenship, Fiona for Welfare and Nikita for Further Education.

To read Fiona’s full manifesto, policies and experience please click here.